Human standing balance is acted by exposure to pulsed ELF magnetic fields:light intensity-dependent effects

There is evidence in animals that behavioral and physiological responses to static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMF) is affected by the presence of light during magnetic field exposures. Here we report that the effect of a specific pulsed ELFMF (PEMF) on human standing-balance is m odulated by light intensity during exposure. Under a low light condition (0 .12 W/m(2)), nine healthy human volunteers stood on a 3D forceplate, throug hout four 2 min exposures (eyes open/eyes close, sham/PEMF of 200+/-1 muT(p k), order randomized). There was a significant increase in standing movemen t during PEMF exposure-during eyes closed. In a second experiment on 26 nor mal subjects exposed to the identical protocol, but at greater light intens ities (0.51 W/m(2)), a significant but opposite effect was observed. NeuroR eport 12:1501-1505 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.